oxadiazoles and Lung-Neoplasms

A total of forty-three compounds were synthesized, including thirty-two new ones. Among those compounds, seventeen were selected and tested on human tumor cell lines: PC-3 (prostate adenocarcinoma), HCT-116 (colorectal tumor), NCIH-460 (lung carcinoma), SKMEL-103 (melanoma) and AGP-01 (gastric tumor). Alkynylated 1,2,4-oxadiazoles 2m, 3g and 3k exhibited antiproliferative activities against NCIH-460 in culture. Alkynylated N-cyclohexyl-1,2,4-oxadiazoles 3a-m and bis-heterocycle glucoglycero-1,2,3-triazole-N-cyclohexyl-1,2,4-oxadiazole derivatives 5a-k and 6-11 were evaluated for their in vitro efficacy towards Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) H

Topics: Alkynes; Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Antitubercular Agents; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Cell Line; Cell Proliferation; Cell Survival; Chlorocebus aethiops; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Discovery; Glycoconjugates; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Mice; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Molecular Structure; Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Oxadiazoles; Structure-Activity Relationship; Triazoles

Melanoma differentiation associated gene-9 (MDA-9), Syntenin-1, or syndecan binding protein is a differentially regulated prometastatic gene with elevated expression in advanced stages of melanoma. MDA-9/Syntenin expression positively associates with advanced disease stage in multiple histologically distinct cancers and negatively correlates with patient survival and response to chemotherapy. MDA-9/Syntenin is a highly conserved PDZ-domain scaffold protein, robustly expressed in a spectrum of diverse cancer cell lines and clinical samples. PDZ domains interact with a number of proteins, many of which are critical regulators of signaling cascades in cancer. Knockdown of MDA-9/Syntenin decreases cancer cell metastasis, sensitizing these cells to radiation. Genetic silencing of MDA-9/Syntenin or treatment with a pharmacological inhibitor of the PDZ1 domain, PDZ1i, also activates the immune system to kill cancer cells. Additionally, suppression of MDA-9/Syntenin deregulates myeloid-derived suppressor cell differentiation via the STAT3/interleukin (IL)-1β pathway, which concomitantly promotes activation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Biologically, PDZ1i treatment decreases metastatic nodule formation in the lungs, resulting in significantly fewer invasive cancer cells. In summary, our observations indicate that MDA-9/Syntenin provides a direct therapeutic target for mitigating aggressive breast cancer and a small-molecule inhibitor, PDZ1i, provides a promising reagent for inhibiting advanced breast cancer pathogenesis.

Topics: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Breast Neoplasms; Cell Line, Tumor; Chemokine CCL11; Chemokine CCL17; Female; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Humans; Interleukin-10; Interleukin-1alpha; Interleukin-1beta; Interleukin-23 Subunit p19; Interleukin-5; Lung Neoplasms; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Oxadiazoles; Pyrimidines; Signal Transduction; Syntenins; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic; Tumor Burden; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Despite outstanding responses to anti-PD-1 agents in a subset of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, approximately 80% of patients fail to have prolonged favorable response. Recent studies show that tumor cell oxidative metabolism is a barrier to PD-1 immunotherapy and radiotherapy could overcome PD-1 resistance, so it is urgent to determine if combination treatment with radiotherapy and a novel oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) inhibitor (IACS-010759) is an effective strategy against PD-1 resistance in NSCLC.. The antitumor effect of this combinational treatment was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. For in vivo experiments, we treated 129Sv/Ev mice with anti-PD1-sensitive and anti-PD1-resistant 344SQ NSCLC adenocarcinoma xenografts with oral IACS-010759 combined with radiotherapy (XRT). In vitro experiments included PCR, seahorse bioenergetic profiling, flow cytometry phenotyping, and clonogenic survival assay.. In the current study, we found that our PD-1-resistant model utilized OXPHOS to a significantly greater extent than the PD-1-sensitive model and XRT increased OXPHOS in vitro and in vivo. Thus, we explored the effect of the novel OXPHOS inhibitor IACS-010759 on PD-1-resistant NSCLC in an effort to overcome XRT-induced immunosuppression and maximize response to PD-1. Additionally, combined XRT and IACS-010759 promoted antitumor effects in the PD-1-resistant model, but not in the sensitive model. After elucidation of the most optimal dose/fractionation scheme of XRT with IACS-010759, the combinatorial therapy with this regimen did not increase the abscopal antitumor effect, although IACS-010549 did not decrease CD45+, CD4+, and CD8+ immune cells. Finally, triple therapy with IACS-010759, XRT, and anti-PD-1 promoted abscopal responses and prolonged survival time.. OXPHOS inhibition as part of a combinatorial regimen with XRT is a promising strategy to address PD-1-resistant NSCLC, and this combination is being tested clinically.

Topics: Animals; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes; Cell Line, Tumor; Chemoradiotherapy; Disease Models, Animal; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor; Female; Humans; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors; Lung Neoplasms; Mice; Oxadiazoles; Oxidative Phosphorylation; Piperidines; Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor

The series of 2-(4-Phenylamino)-N-(5-((4-nitrophenoxy)methyl) -1,3,4-oxadiazol- 2-yl)aceta-mide (5a-5e) and substituted N-(5-(Phenoxymethyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)-2- (phenylamino)acetamide (5f-5i) was designed, synthesized and investigated for Collapsin Response Mediator Protein 1 (CRMP 1) inhibitors as small lung cancer.. Design of compounds was determined by literature review and molecular docking studies in iGEMDOCK 2.0.. Novel 1, 3, 4 Oxadiazole derivatives were synthesized and characterized by melting point, TLC, IR Spectroscopy, Mass spectroscopy and 1H NMR. In vitro biological evaluation was performed on NCI-H2066 cell line for different concentrations 10-1000μM by telomeric repeat amplification protocol assay. The assay of telomerase in cellular extracts was modified from the PCR-based Telomeric-Repeat Amplification Protocol (TRAP), using the oligonucleotides TS and CX.. Novel substituted 2-(4-Phenylamino)-N-(5-((4-nitrophenoxy)methyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2- yl) acetamide (5a-5e) and substituted N-(5-(Phenoxymethyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)-2-(phenylamino) acetamide (5f-5i) were synthesized, and characterized using spectral and analytical data. All compounds have shown considerable % inhibition of Cell Growth with respect to Bevacizumab, but compound 5a and 5f were equipotent with respect to activity as compared to standard Bevacizumab.. Amongst the hybrids, p-nitro substituted derivative (5a) and p-chloro substituted (5f) showed the highest activity against human lung cancer cell line NCI-H2066 by TRAP assay.

Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; Bevacizumab; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Proliferation; Drug Design; Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Molecular Docking Simulation; Molecular Targeted Therapy; Nerve Tissue Proteins; Oxadiazoles; Small Cell Lung Carcinoma; Structure-Activity Relationship

Compound 6, as a novel hybrid of 3-benzyl coumarin seco-B-ring derivative and nitric oxide (NO) donor phenylsulfonylfuroxan, has the potential to develop into an anticancer drug because it displays significant antiproliferation activitity for various solid cancer cell lines including non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells.. We attempt to uncover the capacities of compound 6 to induce apoptosis and autophagy in NSCLC cells, as well as the underlying mechanism involved in this process.. The effect of compound 6 on cell viability was evaluated in A549 cells by MTT assay. Apoptosis was mainly detected by flow cytometry. The induction of autophagy was observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), confocal microscopy as well as western-blotting technique. The expression of all related-proteins including PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway were also examined by western-blotting technique.. Above all, distinct growth inhibition and caspase-dependent apoptosis were detected in A549 cells administered with compound 6. Then, we confirmed the induction of autophagy triggered by compound 6 in A549 cells. Noticeably, blocking autophagy using a series of inhibitors and ATG5 siRNA had little effect on the cytotoxicity of compound 6, elucidating nonprotective autophagy triggered in NSCLC cells. Further research illustrated that PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway was involved in compound 6-induced apoptosis, and 3-MA as well as LY294002 had synergistic inhibiting effect on proliferation of A549 cells through the pathway mentioned above.. These findings raise a rationale that this 3-benzyl coumarin seco-B-ring derivative and phenylsulfonylfuroxan hybrid could be a promising candidate for developing as a therapeutic agent toward NSCLC, and the combination therapy through PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway may result in optimized treatment outcomes.

Topics: A549 Cells; Antineoplastic Agents; Apoptosis; Autophagy; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung; Cell Survival; Coumarins; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Oxadiazoles; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; Signal Transduction; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases

Lung adenocarcinoma is the most primary histologic subtype of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Compound 8b, a novel coumarin derivative with phenylsulfonylfuroxan group, shows significant antiproliferation activity against lung adenocarcinoma cell with low toxicity.. This study aims to uncover the potential of compound 8b in relation to apoptosis as well as autophagy induction in lung adenocarcinoma cells.. The cytotoxicity and apoptosis of A549 and H1299 cells induced by compound 8b were detected by MTT, microscope and western blot analysis. Autophagy was determined by TEM, confocal microscopy and western blot analysis. Akt/mTOR and Erk signaling pathway were also examined by western blot analysis.. First, significant growth inhibition and caspase-dependent apoptosis were observed in compound 8b-treated A549 and H1299 cells. Then, we confirmed compound 8b-induced autophagy by autophagosomes formation, upregulated expression of autophagy-related protein LC3-II and autophagic flux. Importantly, abolishing autophagy using inhibitors and ATG5 siRNA enhanced the cytotoxicity of compound 8b, indicating the cytoprotective role of autophagy in lung adenocarcinoma. Further mechanistic investigations suggested that Akt/mTOR and Erk signaling pathways contributed to autophagy induction by compound 8b.. This results demonstrate that compound 8b induces caspase-dependent apoptosis as well as cytoprotective autophagy in lung adenocarcinoma cells, which may provide scientific evidence for developing this furoxan-based NO-releasing coumarin derivative as a potential anti-lung adenocarcinoma therapeutic agents.

Topics: A549 Cells; Adenocarcinoma; Adenocarcinoma of Lung; Antineoplastic Agents; Apoptosis; Autophagy; Autophagy-Related Protein 5; Caspases; Cell Line, Tumor; Coumarins; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Nitric Oxide; Oxadiazoles; Signal Transduction; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases

The novel nitrobenzoxadiazole (NBD) derivative MC3181 is endowed with remarkable therapeutic activity in mice bearing both sensitive and vemurafenib-resistant human melanoma xenografts. Here, we report that subtoxic concentrations of this compound significantly reduced invasiveness of BRAF-V600D mutated WM115 and WM266.4 melanoma cell lines derived from the primary lesion and related skin metastasis of the same patient, respectively. The strong antimetastatic activity of MC3181 was observed in both 2D monolayer cultures and 3D multicellular tumor spheroids, and confirmed in vivo by the significant decrease in the number of B16-F10 melanoma lung metastases in drug-treated mice. Our data also show that MC3181 affects the lactate production in the high glycolytic WM266.4 cell line. To unveil the MC3181 mechanism of action, we analyzed the ability of MC3181 to affect the degree of activation of different MAPK pathways, as well as the expression/activity levels of several proteins involved in angiogenesis, invasion, and survival (i.e. AP2, MCAM/MUC18, N-cadherin, VEGF and MMP-2). Our data disclosed both a decrease of the phospho-active form of JNK and an increased expression of the transcription factor AP2, events that occur in the very early phase of drug treatment and may be responsible of the antimetastatic effects of MC3181.

Topics: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; CD146 Antigen; Cell Culture Techniques; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Movement; Cell Proliferation; Cell Survival; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Humans; Immunoblotting; Lung Neoplasms; Melanoma; Melanoma, Experimental; Mice; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; Mutation; Neoplasm Invasiveness; Nitrobenzenes; Oxadiazoles; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; Skin Neoplasms; Spheroids, Cellular

Although the main focus of immuno-oncology has been manipulating the adaptive immune system, harnessing both the innate and adaptive arms of the immune system might produce superior tumour reduction and elimination. Tumour-associated macrophages often have net pro-tumour effects, but their embedded location and their untapped potential provide impetus to discover strategies to turn them against tumours. Strategies that deplete (anti-CSF-1 antibodies and CSF-1R inhibition) or stimulate (agonistic anti-CD40 or inhibitory anti-CD47 antibodies) tumour-associated macrophages have had some success. We hypothesized that pharmacologic modulation of macrophage phenotype could produce an anti-tumour effect. We previously reported that a first-in-class selective class IIa histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, TMP195, influenced human monocyte responses to the colony-stimulating factors CSF-1 and CSF-2 in vitro. Here, we utilize a macrophage-dependent autochthonous mouse model of breast cancer to demonstrate that in vivo TMP195 treatment alters the tumour microenvironment and reduces tumour burden and pulmonary metastases by modulating macrophage phenotypes. TMP195 induces the recruitment and differentiation of highly phagocytic and stimulatory macrophages within tumours. Furthermore, combining TMP195 with chemotherapy regimens or T-cell checkpoint blockade in this model significantly enhances the durability of tumour reduction. These data introduce class IIa HDAC inhibition as a means to harness the anti-tumour potential of macrophages to enhance cancer therapy.

Topics: Animals; Benzamides; Breast Neoplasms; Cell Differentiation; Cell Line, Tumor; Disease Models, Animal; Drug Synergism; Female; Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Macrophage Activation; Macrophages; Mice; Oxadiazoles; Phagocytosis; Tumor Burden

Lung adenocarcinoma cells harboring epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations are sensitive to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI). Acquired resistance to EGFR TKI develops after prolonged treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the novel γ secretase inhibitor BMS-708163 on acquired resistance to the EGFR TKI gefitinib. We did not observe known mechanisms of acquired resistance to EGFR TKI, including the EGFR T790M mutation and MET gene amplification in the gefitinib-resistant PC9/AB2 cells. BMS-708163 inhibited PI3K/Akt expression and sensitized PC9/AB2 cells to gefitinib-induced cytotoxicity. In contrast, BMS-708163 had no significant effect on gefitinib sensitivity in PC9 parental cells. Combined treatment with BMS-708163 and gefitinib induced high levels of apoptosis. Our in vivo studies showed that combined treatment of gefitinib and BMS-708163 inhibited the growth of PC9/AB2 xenografts. In conclusion, our data show that combined treatment of gefitinib and γ secretase inhibitors may be useful for treating lung adenocarcinomas harboring EGFR mutations with acquired gefitinib resistance.

Topics: Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases; Animals; Apoptosis; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Survival; ErbB Receptors; Female; Gefitinib; Immunohistochemistry; Lung Neoplasms; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Oxadiazoles; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; Quinazolines; Sulfonamides

Survivin, which is highly expressed and promotes cell survival in diffuse malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (DMPM), exclusively relies on exportin 1 (XPO1/CRM1) to be shuttled into the cytoplasm and perform its anti-apoptotic function. Here, we explored the efficacy of Selective Inhibitors of Nuclear Export (SINE), KPT-251, KPT-276 and the orally available, clinical stage KPT-330 (selinexor), in DMPM preclinical models. Exposure to SINE induced dose-dependent inhibition of cell growth, cell cycle arrest at G1-phase and caspase-dependent apoptosis, which were consequent to a decrease of XPO1/CRM1 protein levels and the concomitant nuclear accumulation of its cargo proteins p53 and CDKN1a. Cell exposure to SINE led to a time-dependent reduction of cytoplasmic survivin levels. In addition, after an initial accumulation, the nuclear protein abundance progressively decreased, as a consequence of an enhanced ubiquitination and proteasome-dependent degradation. SINE and the survivin inhibitor YM155 synergistically cooperated in reducing DMPM cell proliferation. Most importantly, orally administered SINE caused a significant anti-tumor effect in subcutaneous and orthotopic DMPM xenografts without appreciable toxicity. Overall, we have demonstrated a marked efficacy of SINE in DMPM preclinical models that may relay on the interference with survivin intracellular distribution and function. Our study suggests SINE-mediated XPO1/CRM1 inhibition as a novel therapeutic option for DMPM.

Topics: Acrylamides; Active Transport, Cell Nucleus; Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Apoptosis; Cell Line, Tumor; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Exportin 1 Protein; G1 Phase Cell Cycle Checkpoints; Humans; Hydrazines; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins; Karyopherins; Lung Neoplasms; Mesothelioma; Mesothelioma, Malignant; Mice; Mice, SCID; Neoplasm Proteins; Oxadiazoles; Peritoneal Neoplasms; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; Survivin; Thiazoles; Triazoles; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53

The insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R) is a membrane receptor tyrosine kinase over-expressed in a number of tumors. However, combating resistance is one of the main challenges in the currently available IGF-1R inhibitor-based cancer therapies. Increased Src activation has been reported to confer resistance to anti-IGF-1R therapeutics in various tumor cells. An urgent unmet need for IGF-1R inhibitors is to suppress Src rephosphorylation induced by current anti-IGF-1R regimens. In efforts to develop effective anticancer agents targeting the IGF-1R signaling pathway, we explored 2-aryl-1,3,4-oxadiazin-5-ones as a novel scaffold that is structurally unrelated to current tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). The compound, LL-2003, exhibited promising antitumor effects in vitro and in vivo; it effectively suppressed IGF-1R and Src and induced apoptosis in various non-small cell lung cancer cells. Further optimizations for enhanced potency in cellular assays need to be followed, but our strategy to identify novel IGF-1R/Src inhibitors may open a new avenue to develop more efficient anticancer agents.

Topics: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Apoptosis; Blotting, Western; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung; Cell Movement; Cell Proliferation; Humans; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Lung Neoplasms; Mice; Mice, Inbred NOD; Mice, SCID; Models, Molecular; Molecular Docking Simulation; Oxadiazoles; Oxazines; Phosphorylation; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; Receptor, IGF Type 1; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; RNA, Messenger; Signal Transduction; src-Family Kinases; Tumor Cells, Cultured; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) that harbor an oncogenic KRAS mutation are often associated with resistance to targeted therapies. The MUC1-C transmembrane protein is aberrantly overexpressed in NSCLCs and confers a poor outcome; however, the functional role for MUC1-C in mutant KRAS NSCLC cells has remained unclear. The present studies demonstrate that silencing MUC1-C in A549/KRAS(G12S) and H460/KRAS(Q61H) NSCLC cells is associated with downregulation of AKT signaling and inhibition of growth. Overexpression of a MUC1-C(CQC→AQA) mutant, which inhibits MUC1-C homodimerization and function, suppressed both AKT and MEK activation. Moreover, treatment with GO-203, an inhibitor of MUC1-C homodimerization, blocked AKT and MEK signaling and decreased cell survival. The results further demonstrate that targeting MUC1-C suppresses expression of the ZEB1 transcriptional repressor by an AKT-mediated mechanism, and in turn induces miR-200c. In concert with these effects on the ZEB1/miR-200c regulatory loop, targeting MUC1-C was associated with reversal of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and inhibition of self-renewal capacity. Loss of MUC1-C function also attenuated KRAS independence and inhibited growth of KRAS mutant NSCLC cells as tumors in mice. These findings support a model in which targeting MUC1-C inhibits mutant KRAS signaling in NSCLC cells and thereby reverses the EMT phenotype and decreases self-renewal.

Topics: Animals; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung; Cell Proliferation; Cell Survival; Down-Regulation; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Heterografts; Homeodomain Proteins; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; MAP Kinase Kinase 1; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Mice, Nude; MicroRNAs; Mucin-1; Neoplasm Transplantation; Oxadiazoles; Peptides; Proto-Oncogene Proteins; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras); ras Proteins; RNA Interference; RNA, Small Interfering; Signal Transduction; Spheroids, Cellular; Transcription Factors; Tumor Cells, Cultured; Zinc Finger E-box-Binding Homeobox 1

A series of hybrids (12a-k) from (phenylsulfonyl)furoxan and anilinopyrimidine were synthesized and biologically evaluated as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors for intervention of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Compound 12k exhibited strong and selective EGFR L858R/T790M inhibitory activity (IC50 = 0.047 μM) and displayed antiproliferative effects on EGFR mutation NSCLC cell lines HCC827 (del E746_A750) and H1975 (L858R/T790M) with IC50 values of 0.007 and 0.029 μM, respectively. Additionally, 12k released high levels of NO in H1975 cells but not in normal human cells, and its activity was diminished by pretreatment with a NO scavenger. Furthermore, 12k induced apoptosis of H1975 and HCC827 cells more strongly than WZ4002 (1), inhibited EGFR downstream signaling in H1975 cells, and suppressed the nuclear factor-κB activation in H1975 cells, while 1 had no significant effects under the same conditions. Finally, 12k substantially inhibited tumor growth in an H1975 xenograft mouse model. Overall, 12k might be a promising candidate for the treatment of NSCLC.

Topics: Aniline Compounds; Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Apoptosis; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung; Cell Line; Cell Line, Tumor; Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor; Enzyme Activation; ErbB Receptors; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Male; Mice; Mice, Nude; Neoplasm Transplantation; NF-kappa B; Nitric Oxide; Oxadiazoles; Pyrimidines; Signal Transduction; Transplantation, Heterologous

Multi-drug resistance (MDR) is a major obstacle to successful cancer treatment. Therefore, in vitro models are necessary for the investigation of the phenotypic changes provoked by cytotoxic agents and more importantly for preclinical testing of new anticancer drugs.. We analyzed chromosomal, numerical, and structural changes after development of MDR, alterations in p53 and PTEN, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the mdr1 gene and corresponding protein expression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in three human MDR cancer cell lines: non-small cell lung carcinoma NCI-H460/R, colorectal carcinoma DLD1-TxR, and glioma U87-TxR. In addition, we explored how these molecular and phenotypic alterations influence the anticancer effect of new drugs.. Cytogenetic analysis showed polyploidy reduction after development of MDR in U87-TxR. Losses of 6q in all resistant cancer cell lines and inactivation of p53 in U87-TxR and PTEN in DLD1-TxR were also revealed. Overexpression of P-gp was observed in all MDR cancer cell lines. We evaluated the anticancer activities and MDR reversal potential of Akt inhibitor GSK690693, Ras inhibitor Tipifarnib, and two P-gp inhibitors (jatrophane diterpenoids). Their effects vary due to the cell-type differences, existence of MDR phenotype, presence of mdr1 SNP, and tumor suppressors' alterations. Tipifarnib and jatrophane diterpenoids significantly sensitized MDR cancer cells to paclitaxel.. In conclusion, investigated MDR cancer cells obtained new molecular and cytogenetic characteristics that may serve as potential clinical prognostic markers. In addition, these MDR cancer cell lines present a valuable model for preclinical evaluation of new anticancer agents.

Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B; ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung; Cell Line, Tumor; Colorectal Neoplasms; Cytogenetic Analysis; Drug Resistance, Multiple; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Glioma; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Oxadiazoles; Phenotype; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Prognosis; PTEN Phosphohydrolase; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53

The activation of the transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) plays an essential role in tumor development, tumor progression, and resistance to chemo- and radiotherapy. In order to identify compounds targeting the HIF pathway, a small molecule library was screened using a luciferase-driven HIF-1 reporter cell line under hypoxia. The high-throughput screening led to the identification of a class of aminoalkyl-substituted compounds that inhibited hypoxia-induced HIF-1 target gene expression in human lung cancer cell lines at low nanomolar concentrations. Lead structure BAY 87-2243 was found to inhibit HIF-1α and HIF-2α protein accumulation under hypoxic conditions in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell line H460 but had no effect on HIF-1α protein levels induced by the hypoxia mimetics desferrioxamine or cobalt chloride. BAY 87-2243 had no effect on HIF target gene expression levels in RCC4 cells lacking Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) activity nor did the compound affect the activity of HIF prolyl hydroxylase-2. Antitumor activity of BAY 87-2243, suppression of HIF-1α protein levels, and reduction of HIF-1 target gene expression in vivo were demonstrated in a H460 xenograft model. BAY 87-2243 did not inhibit cell proliferation under standard conditions. However under glucose depletion, a condition favoring mitochondrial ATP generation as energy source, BAY 87-2243 inhibited cell proliferation in the nanomolar range. Further experiments revealed that BAY 87-2243 inhibits mitochondrial complex I activity but has no effect on complex III activity. Interference with mitochondrial function to reduce hypoxia-induced HIF-1 activity in tumors might be an interesting therapeutic approach to overcome chemo- and radiotherapy-resistance of hypoxic tumors.

Topics: Animals; Antigens, Neoplasm; Carbonic Anhydrase IX; Carbonic Anhydrases; Cell Hypoxia; Cell Proliferation; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Discovery; Electron Transport Complex I; Female; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Genes, Neoplasm; Genes, Reporter; Humans; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-Proline Dioxygenases; Lung Neoplasms; Mice; Mice, Nude; Molecular Sequence Data; Molecular Targeted Therapy; Oxadiazoles; Pyrazoles; RNA, Small Interfering; Small Molecule Libraries; Tumor Burden; Tumor Cells, Cultured; Von Hippel-Lindau Tumor Suppressor Protein; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Topics: Codon, Nonsense; Genes, p53; Humans; Lung Diseases; Lung Neoplasms; Oxadiazoles; Phenotype

Previously, our laboratory showed that nitric oxide (NO)/cyclic GMP (cGMP)/protein kinase G type-Iα (PKG-Iα) signaling pathway plays an important role in preventing spontaneous apoptosis and promoting cell proliferation in both normal cells (bone marrow stromal cells and vascular smooth muscle cells) and certain cancer cells (ovarian cancer cells). In the present study, we investigated the novel role of the cGMP/PKG-Iα pathway in preventing spontaneous apoptosis, promoting colony formation and regulating phosphorylation of cAMP response element binding (CREB) protein and protein expression of inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) and anti-apoptotic Bcl-2-related proteins in NCI-H460 and A549 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. 1H-(1,2,4)oxadiazolo(4,3-a)quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ), which blocks endogenous NO-induced activation of cGMP/PKG-Iα, induced apoptosis and decreased colony formation. ODQ also decreased CREB ser133 phosphorylation and protein expression of c-IAP1, livin, and survivin. DT-2 (inhibitor of PKG-Iα kinase activity) increased apoptosis by twofold and decreased CREB ser133 phosphorylation and c-IAP1, livin, and survivin expression. Gene knockdown of PKG-Iα expression using small-interfering RNA increased apoptosis and decreased CREB ser133 phosphorylation, and c-IAP1, livin, survivin, and Mcl-1 expression. Inhibition of PKG-Iα kinase activity with DT-2 dramatically enhanced pro-apoptotic effects of the chemotherapeutic agent cisplatin. Combined treatment of DT-2 and cisplatin increased apoptosis compared with cisplatin or DT-2 alone, showing a synergistic effect. The data suggest that the PKG-Iα kinase activity is necessary for maintaining higher levels of CREB phosphorylation at ser133 and protein expression of c-IAP1, livin, survivin, and Mcl-1, preventing spontaneous apoptosis and promoting colony formation in NSCLC cells, which may limit the effectiveness of chemotherapeutic agents like cisplatin.

Topics: Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; Antineoplastic Agents; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung; Cell Line, Tumor; Cisplatin; Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein; Cyclic GMP-Dependent Protein Kinase Type I; Drug Synergism; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Humans; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins; Lung Neoplasms; Myeloid Cell Leukemia Sequence 1 Protein; Neoplasm Proteins; Oxadiazoles; Phosphorylation; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; Quinoxalines; RNA, Small Interfering; Signal Transduction; Survivin

Tumor cell migration is considered as a major event in the metastatic cascade. Here we examined the effect of grape seed proanthocyanidins (GSPs) on migration capacity and signaling mechanisms using nonsmall cell human lung cancer cells. Using in vitro migration assay, we found that treatment of A549 and H1299 cells with GSPs resulted in concentration-dependent inhibition of migration of these cells. The migration capacity of cells was reduced in presence of N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase. GSPs suppressed the elevated levels of endogenous NO/NOS in A549 and H1299 cells and blocked the migration promoting capacity of L-arginine. Treatment with guanylate cyclase (GC) inhibitor 1-H-[1,2,4]oxadiaxolo[4,3-a]quinolalin-1-one (ODQ) reduced the migration of A549 cells whereas additional presence of 8-bromoguanosine 3'5'-cyclic monophosphate (8-Br-cGMP, cGMP analogue) restored the migration of these cells, suggesting a role for GC in migration of A549 cells. GSPs reduced the elevated levels of cGMP in cancer cells and also blocked the migration restoring activity of 8-Br-cGMP. The mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MAPKK) inhibitor, UO126, inhibited the migration of A549 cells, indicating a role for MAPKK in the migration. Additionally, UO126 and ODQ inhibited the migration restoring effects of L-arginine in L-NAME-treated cells, suggesting the involvement of cGMP and MAPK pathways in NO-mediated migration. GSPs inhibited L-arginine and 8-Br-cGMP-induced activation of ERK1/2 in A549 cells. Together, these results indicate sequential inhibition of NO/NOS, GC, and MAPK pathways by GSPs in mediating the inhibitory signals for cell migration, an essential step in invasion and metastasis.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Blotting, Western; Carcinoma, Large Cell; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung; Cell Movement; Cell Proliferation; Cell Survival; Cyclic GMP; Enzyme Inhibitors; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; Grape Seed Extract; Guanylate Cyclase; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester; Nitric Oxide; Nitric Oxide Synthase; Oxadiazoles; Plant Extracts; Proanthocyanidins; Quinoxalines; Receptors, Cell Surface; Signal Transduction; Tumor Cells, Cultured; Vitis

A new series of nitrogen-containing heterocycles 4H-1,3,4-oxadiazin-5(6H)-ones derivatives with hydrophobic and long chains were designed and synthesized by direct cyclization reaction of N'-alkylation substituted aroylhydrazines with chloroacetyl chloride. The preliminary assays showed that some of the compounds displayed moderate to good inhibitory activities toward monoamine oxidase (MAO) at the concentration of 10(-5)-10(-3)M, and antitumor activities against human lung cancer A-549 and human prostate cancer PC-3 cell lines at muM level, which might provide new scaffold for anticancer agents. Furthermore, compounds 5i and 5m exhibited significant inhibitory activity on chitin biosynthesis, which might represent a novel class of highly potential inhibitors of chitin synthesis.

Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; Cell Line, Tumor; Chitin; Drug Design; Humans; Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; Lung Neoplasms; Male; Monoamine Oxidase; Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors; Oxadiazoles; Prostatic Neoplasms; Structure-Activity Relationship

The convergent synthesis of an unusual (but simple) class of compounds 5a-g has been achieved by the copper-catalyzed [3+2] cycloaddition reaction of 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl azide 4 with propynyl 3-[3-(aryl)-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl] propionates 3a-g. The formerly known azide 4 has been prepared according to the literature procedure; however, the synthesis of esters 3a-g is being reported for the first time. The infrared as well as (1)H NMR spectra of all new products are in agreement with their proposed structures. By carrying out the nOe experiment of one of the final compounds 5a, we have been able to establish that only the 1,4-regioisomers have been formed in the cycloaddition reaction. All final products presented weak cytotoxic activity, but 5e and 5g had somewhat better behaviour showing 22-25% cell growth inhibition against two cell strains: NCI-H(292) (lung carcinoma) and HEp-2 (larynx carcinoma).

Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; Carbon; Carcinoma; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Proliferation; Glycosylation; Humans; Laryngeal Neoplasms; Lung Neoplasms; Oxadiazoles; Oxygen; Triazoles

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Radioresistance of lung cancer cells results in unacceptable rate of loco-regional failure. Although radiation is known to induce apoptosis, our recent study showed that knockdown of pro-apoptotic proteins Bak and Bax resulted in an increase in autophagic cell death and lung cancer radiosensitivity in vitro. To further explore the potential of apoptosis inhibition as a way to sensitize lung cancer for therapy, we tested M867, a novel chemical and reversible caspase-3 inhibitor, in combination with ionizing radiation in vivo and in vitro.. M867 reduced clonogenic survival in H460 lung cancer cells (DER = 1.27, p = 0.007) compared to the vehicle-treated treated cells. We found that administration of M867 with ionizing radiation in an in vivo mouse hind limb lung cancer model was well tolerated, and produced a significant tumor growth delay compared to radiation alone. A dramatic decrease in tumor vasculature was observed with M867 and radiation using von Willebrand factor staining. In addition, Ki67 index showed >5-fold reduction of tumor proliferation in the combination therapy group, despite the reduced levels of apoptosis observed with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling staining. Radiosensitizing effect of M867 through inhibiting caspases was validated using caspase-3/-7 double-knockout (DKO) mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEF) cell model. Consistent with our previous study, autophagy contributed to the mechanism of increased cell death, following inhibition of apoptosis. In addition, matrigel assay showed a decrease in in vitro endothelial tubule formation during the M867/radiation combination treatment.. M867 enhances the cytotoxic effects of radiation on lung cancer and its vasculature both in vitro and in vivo. M867 has the potential to prolong tumor growth delay by inhibiting tumor proliferation. Clinical trials are needed to determine the potential of this combination therapy in patients with locally advanced lung cancer.

Topics: Animals; Apoptosis; Autophagy; Base Sequence; Caspase Inhibitors; Cell Line, Tumor; Cysteine Proteinase Inhibitors; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Mice; Mice, Knockout; Oxadiazoles; Pyrazines; Radiation Tolerance; RNA, Small Interfering; Transplantation, Heterologous

Introduction of the 2,4-difluoro-5-(cyclopropylcarbamoyl)phenylamino group at the C-4 position of the pyrrolo[2,1-f][1,2,4] triazine scaffold led to the discovery of a novel sub-series of inhibitors of VEGFR-2 kinase activity. Subsequent SAR studies on the 1,3,5-oxadiazole ring appended to the C-6 position of this new sub-family of pyrrolotriazines resulted in the identification of low nanomolar inhibitors of VEGFR-2. Antitumor efficacy was observed with compound 37 against L2987 human lung carcinoma xenografts in athymic mice.

Topics: Animals; Cell Line, Tumor; Cyclopropanes; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme Inhibitors; Endothelial Cells; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Mice; Mice, Nude; Oxadiazoles; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Pyrroles; Structure-Activity Relationship; Triazines; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

In the present work, we have investigated the antitumor activity of 6-(7-nitro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazol-4-ylthio)hexanol (NBDHEX) on aggressive small cell lung cancer. NBDHEX not only is cytotoxic toward the parental small cell lung cancer H69 cell line (LC(50) of 2.3 +/- 0.6 micromol/L) but also overcomes the multidrug resistance of its variant, H69AR, which overexpresses the ATP-binding cassette transporter multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 (MRP1; LC(50) of 4.5 +/- 0.9 micromol/L). Drug efflux experiments, done in the presence of a specific inhibitor of MRP1, confirmed that NBDHEX is not a substrate for this export pump. Interestingly, NBDHEX triggers two different types of cell death: a caspase-dependent apoptosis in the H69AR cells and a necrotic phenotype in the parental H69 cells. The apoptotic pathway triggered by NBDHEX in H69AR cells is associated with c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase and c-Jun activation, whereas glutathione oxidation and activation of p38(MAPK) is observed in the NBDHEX-treated H69 cells. In contrast to the parental cells, the higher propensity to die through apoptosis of the H69AR cell line may be related to the lower expression of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2. Therefore, down-regulation of a factor crucial for cell survival makes H69AR cells more sensitive to the cytotoxic action of NBDHEX, which is not a MRP1 substrate. We have previously shown that NBDHEX is cytotoxic toward P-glycoprotein-overexpressing tumor cell lines. Therefore, NBDHEX seems a very promising compound in the search for new molecules able to overcome the ATP-binding cassette family of proteins, one of the major mechanisms of multidrug resistance in cancer cells.

Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; Apoptosis; ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1; Carcinoma, Small Cell; Cell Line, Tumor; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; Drug Resistance, Multiple; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; Enzyme Activation; Glutathione; Glutathione Transferase; Hexanols; Humans; JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; Lung Neoplasms; Necrosis; Oxadiazoles; Oxidation-Reduction; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun; Substrate Specificity

Selected 7-nitro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole derivatives have been recently found very efficient inhibitors of glutathione S-transferase (GST) P1-1, an enzyme which displays antiapoptotic activity and is also involved in the cellular resistance to anticancer drugs. These new inhibitors are not tripeptide glutathione-peptidomimetic molecules and display lipophylic properties suitable for crossing the plasma membrane. In the present work, we show the strong cytotoxic activity of these compounds in the following four different cell lines: K562 (human myeloid leukemia), HepG2 (human hepatic carcinoma), CCRF-CEM (human T-lymphoblastic leukemia), and GLC-4 (human small cell lung carcinoma). The LC50 values are in the micromolar/submicromolar range and are close to the IC50 values obtained with GSTP1-1, suggesting that the target of these molecules inside the cell is indeed this enzyme. The cytotoxic mechanism of 6-(7-nitro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazol-4-ylthio)hexanol, the most effective GSTP1-1 inhibitor, has been carefully investigated in leukemic CCRF-CEM and K562 cell lines. Western blot and immunoprecipitation analyzes have shown that 6-(7-nitro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazol-4-ylthio)hexanol promotes in both cell lines the dissociation of the GSTP1-1 in a complex with c-jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK). This process triggers a reactive oxygen species (ROS)-independent activation of the JNK-mediated pathway that results in a typical process of apoptosis. Besides this main pathway, in K562 cells, a ROS-mediated apoptosis partially occurs (about 30%) which involves the p38MAPK signal transduction pathway. The low concentration of this new compound needed to trigger cytotoxic effects on tumor cells and the low toxicity on mice indicate that the new 7-nitro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole derivatives are promising anticancer agents.

Topics: Animals; Apoptosis; Carcinoma, Small Cell; Cell Line, Tumor; Enzyme Activation; Enzyme Inhibitors; Glutathione S-Transferase pi; Glutathione Transferase; Humans; Isoenzymes; JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; K562 Cells; Leukemia, T-Cell; Liver Neoplasms; Lung Neoplasms; Male; Mice; Oxadiazoles; Oxidation-Reduction; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; Reactive Oxygen Species

Carcinogenicity of eight 5-nitrofurans with heterocyclic substituents at the 2-position of the furan ring was investigated by feeding the chemicals to Sprague-Dawley female rats. N-[5-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl]acetamide induced in 30 rats the highest incidence of tumors with the greatest number of tissues involved: forestomach squamous cell tumors (22), kidney pelvis transitional cell carcinomas (15), pulmonary alveolar cell carcinomas (16), hemangioendothelialsarcomas (20) of the intestine, mesentery, liver, lung, and pancreas, and a few tumors of other tissues. 2-Amino-5-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazole, 2-amino-5-(5-nitro-2furyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole, and trans-2-[dimethylamino)methylimino]-5-[2-(5-nitro-2-furyl)vinyl]-1,3,4-oxadiazole produced high incidences of mammary tumors. The other four 5-nitrofurans tested: N-[4-(5-NITRO-2-FURYL)-2-THIAZOLYL]ACETAMIDE;2,3,4-TRIFLUORO-N-[4-(5-NITRO-2-furyl)-2-thiazoly]acetamide;5-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-ol; and N-( [3-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl]methyl)acetamide were associated with tumor incidences of 40-60%. Two other chemicals were also tested: 2-Amino-5-nitrothiazole caused a low incidence of breast and kidney pelvis tumors, and 2-amino-4-(p-nitrophenyl)thiazole induced a high incidence of breast and salivary gland adenocarcinomas and lymphomas.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Adenocarcinoma, Bronchiolo-Alveolar; Administration, Oral; Amines; Animals; Carcinogens; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Carcinoma, Transitional Cell; Female; Hemangiosarcoma; Intestinal Neoplasms; Kidney Neoplasms; Liver Neoplasms; Lung Neoplasms; Lymphoma; Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental; Mesentery; Neoplasms, Experimental; Nitrofurans; Oxadiazoles; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Rats; Salivary Gland Neoplasms; Stomach Neoplasms; Thiadiazoles

Topics: Adolescent; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Bronchitis; Child; Child, Preschool; Citrates; Female; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Growth; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Leukemia; Lung Neoplasms; Muscles; Osteosarcoma; Oxadiazoles; Pyloric Stenosis; Sarcoma; Sarcoma, Ewing